Excavating apparatus



S. GAUTEREAUX.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 1919.

Patented May 9, 1922.

ll SHEETS-SHEET- INVENTOR. \siandlg Gaufgpga. ux.

'ATTORNEY.

5 5 e n d W S. GAUTEREAUX. EXCAVATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR.5, 1919.

Patented May 9, 1922.

11 SHEETS-SHEET 2- INVENTOR. stancll y lizui'ereahu z BY 1 i O/MMATTORNEY h'inesai S. GAUTEREAUX.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION HLED MAR. 5, 1919.

Patented May 9,1922.

H SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' N 3 glnventor mu I .1.

ska-r1619 Gauiereaux.

i Q HE Wfiness S. GAUTEREAUX. EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR. s. 1919. Patented May 9 1922.

I l SHEETS-SHET 4.

Wfiness: o Inveniov slat 19 Gaube'ceaux.

S. GAUTEREAUXa EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

APPUCATION FYILED MAR. 5. 1919.

Patented May 9, 1922 H SHEETS-SHEET 5.

I Witne S. GAUTEREAUXx EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR: 5,4919.

Patented May 9, 1922.

11 SHEET SHEET 6.

luv e n4: 6 v I s'kancllgy Gauteveaux no conga ness:

Wit

s. GAUTEREAUX'.

v EXCAVATING APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED MAR. 51.. I919. 1 ,41 5,544, Patented May 9, 1922.

. 11 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

lnvencor, Standb Gauiereaux.

. o o v V r o o 1 sw w can a m Q Q MT.. omwm wj Wiles:

S. GA-UTEREAUX. EXCAVATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAR 5, 1919 v 1,41 5 ,54'4 Patented May 9, 1922.

ll SHEETSSHEET B.

S. GAUTEREAUX.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED rm. 5..191 9.

Patented May 9. 1922.

H SHEETS-SHEET 9 Inventor siandle Gauiereawc.

s. GAUTEREAUX.

EXGAVATING APPARATUS.

. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5, 1919. 1,415,544. Patented May 9, 1922,

n SHEETS-SHEET i0.

l'nveniov- /7 :77Z. Stan 11g Gau'be reaux. I

S. GAUTEREAUX.

EXCAVATING APPARATUS. APPLlCATlON man MAR. 5, 1919.

'ing atLos Angeles, in

and rapidly UttlTEfi s ears tics.

STANDLEY GAUTEREAUX, or Los ANGELES,'CALIFOR1\TILAL EXCAVATING APPARATS.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, S'T'iirmLiiY GA-urn- REAUX, a citizen of the UnitedSt'at'es, residthe "county "of Les Angeles andStateof California, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Excavating Apparatus, of whichthe followin is a specification.

lIy invention relates to improvements in has developed new requirementsand condi-.

tions that the present equipment of obsolete and antiquated tools andmachinery are not adequate to meet and perform; consequently the needand demand for. an apparatus that can expeditiously and satisfactorilyperform the necessary work within the time limit allotted "tothis labor;for limited time has become one'of the 'vit'al features of thisindustry. Consequently there is a necessity will travel over theirrigating course rapidly and effectively. Too great an eii'ipliasiscannot beplac'ed on the feature of limited time when considered inrelation to the irrigating trench construction, as many of thesetrenches must be formed in the time intervening between the harvestingof one crop and the planting of another, which means that every momentlost in trench forming for irrigating is a corresponding loss of growingtime to the crop to be planted,

A- feature of my invention is to provide novel means for forming thefirst or opening cut of the trench, which feature is useful, expedientand easy of operation.

Other features of my invention are to provide novel means for formingthe subsequent cuts of the trench and means for removing the materialfrom-said cuts anddischarging it to one side of the trench.v I

The featuresof having a plow in advance 4 for forming a trench in whichthe lower end of a conveyor can move to carry away the soil, and anotherplow for turning a two Specification of Letters Patent.

for an apparatus that.

furrow-slices back intothe. conveyor,- and the i can be more. readilythrown fiiito'the conveyor; and also the feature of .a single coirveyor, inclined across the trench'to locate its discharge end on oneside of the trench, are in combination primarilynew.

Other features of the iiiVeiltiliale shown in the novel means employedfor mountii'ig n separate frames each unitfo'f trench form.- ingapparatus, and also the novel" means employed to raise or lower any, oneof said frames separately or alltogetlier for the purpose of clearingaway obstructions or for'digging a deeper or shallowertrench" and alsofor the purpose 'of transportation fromplace-to place; also the meansfor telescoping'theaxles so that for transportation the excavator can benarrowed to pass throughnarrow roads or gateways. f

Other objects, advantages and features of inventionmay appear" from thefaccoin panying drawings, the detaildesicription and the appendedclaims.

The ac'c'omlfi'anying drawings illustrate the I invention: q q

F lgure 11s a sideelevation oft-he excavator partly diagrammaticallyshown, Tim- Patented 'MayB, 1922,

provision of rimles's sprocketwheels in' the conveyor so that the twofurrow-slices material detail being omitted on account of-Q the smallscale'on which the figure is drawn. Fig. 2 isa plan view of what-isshown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aplan view of the excavator diagrammaticallyshown; and also showing a special means for propelling-the excavatorthrough" exceedingly refractory material.

Fig. 4 is a section through the'g 'oi'ind especially adaptedfor forming.p

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal View throughtlie trench leveler that,is attached to the excavator and drawn behind, as shown in Figs. l and2.

showing a trench for which the excavator is Fig. 6 isa fragmentary partof the front.

end of the excavator showing the'fro'nt truck "and associated parts inside elevation. I Fig. 7 1s asectiontaken on the line 1: 0 0

of Fig. ,6 parts'beingomitted 1 and partsbea larger scale. 1

Fig. 8 is a planview 6f the mechanism shown in Fig. 6, parts beingomitted and parts beingbroken away and parts'being ioo iio

ing broken away, and the figure "di'a'wn to of Fig. 8 showing the partsenlarged to the same scale as Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a broken fragmentary portion of the excavator shown in sideelevation, said portion being taken just to the rear of the portion ofthe excavator shown in Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of what is shown in Fi 10, parts broken away.

Fig. 12 is av side elevation of the sector and lever mechanism forcontrolling the upper ends of the plow beams; the view being taken onthe line m w Fig. 11, parts being broken away and parts being omit-ted.

Fi 18 is a section taken on the line b I a3 -rc of Flg. 12, parts beingbroken away,

Flg. let 1s a section taken on the line a -50 Fig. 13, parts beingbroken away and parts omitted.

Fig. 15 is a section taken on the line ne -.119 Fig. 10 showing aportion of the bottom part of the excavator in sectional plan view.

Fig. 16 is a section taken through the lower part of the frame on theline ar -e2 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a Fig. 16.

Fig. 19 is a section on the line ra -x of Fig. 1, on a larger scale ansshowing in sectional plan view a part of the excavator that is in therear of and joins to the part shown in Figs. 10 to 18 inclusive.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the plows and bottom portion of the conveyorshown in Fig. 19, many parts being omitted for the sake of clearness andthe )eams being shown in section.

Fig. 21 is a plan view of the advanced or right hand plow shown in Fig.19 entirely separated from its associated parts and the beam being shownin section.

Fig. 22 is a plan view of the rear or left hand plow shown in Fig. 19entirely separated from its associated parts, and the beam being shownin section.

Fig. 23 is a section through a trench two furrows deep showing how theplow and conveyors shown in Fig. 20 would appear therein parts beingomitted and broken away.

Fig. 24 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the conveyor shownin Figs. 19 to 23 inclusive, some of the associated parts being shown inperspective and parts being omitted and parts being broken away.

Fig. 25 is an enlarged detail view of the chain conveyor shown in Fig. 21.

Fig. 26 is a section taken on the line m -m of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a plan view of one of the rimless conveyor wheels shown in2.)

section on the line m -00 section on the line w -x Fig. 28 is a sectionon the line w -:0 Fig. 1 showing the means for driving the rimlessconveyor wheels and also the means for raising and lowering the framesthat have attached thereto the trench forming apparatus.

Fig. 29 is a section on the line 90 02 Fig. 28, parts being omitted andparts being broken away; showing the ends of one of the frames on whichthe trench forming apparatus is mounted brought near together bybreaking away the center portion of the frame, in order to show how thedrums operating in pairs raise and lower these frames.

Fig. 30 is a section on the line or -fir Fig. 29, showing a pair ofsheave pulleys and their mounting.

Fig. 31 is a slightly enlarged and reversed view of the lower left iandcorner of Fig. 28, parts broken away and omitted, showing in detail theattachment for connecting the cables to the bottom of the slidingframes. I

Fig. 32 is a side elevation of the chain tightener shown in Fig. 28, thechain and pinions being shown by dotted lines and also an alteredposition being shown by dotted lines.

Fig. 33 is a section taken on the line m -00 Fig. 29, parts omitted andparts broken away. 7 I

Fig. 34- is a plan View of what is shown in Fig. 38.

Fig. 35 is a section taken on the line se -x Fig. 8 1, parts beingbroken away.

Fig. 36 is a section on the line re -w Fig. 341, parts being broken awayand parts being omitted.

Fig. 37 is a section on the line w -w Fig. 33, parts omitted and partsbroken away. I

Fig. 38 is a vertical section through the main frame, the center of thecross plates being broken away and the uprights and the longitudinal.angle irons brought closer together.

Fig. 39 is a section on the line m'"'"a:"' Fig. 38, showing how theupper cross plates and upper angle irons are riveted to the lower flangeof the upper longitudinal angle iron.

Fig. 410 is a section on the line ai -1r Fig. 38, showing theintermediate cross plate riveted to the upright angle irons.

Fig. 11 is a central vertical section through one of the frames to wnichthe excavating apparatus is attached, the ap paratus being omitted.

Fig. 42 is an enlarged plan view of one of the brackets for securing theupper co ners of the frame shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is another view of'the bracket above described. 7

Fig. 4.4: is an enlarged plan view of one of the upper corners of theframe for carrying the excavating apparatus, the latter not being shown.

Fig. 45 is a section on the line M Fig. 44, showing an inner view of theforegoing mentioned corner of said frame Fig. 46 is a section on theline w-m Fig. 41, showing in detail, oneof the lower corners of thesliding frames.

Fig. 47 is a section on the linerF-aa Fig. 46, showing another view ofthe foregoing corner.

In detail, the main frame 1' of the excavator consists of pairs of lowerlongitudinal angle irons or base plates 1 and upper longitudinal angleirons or plates 2 respectively, which are spaced apart'in width by thecross pieces 3 and 4 spaced in height by a plurality ofangle irons 5which are riveted to the cross pieces 3 and 4 and also the angle irons 1and 2; also intermediate cross plates 6 are riveted to the upright angleirons 5.

At both the forward and rearward ends the longitudinal angle irons arebent inwardly-to form a narrower frame between the wheel bases of theexcavator; and these bent in portions have additional cross pieces,

plates and braces to form a substantial main main frame issuspendedbetween the wheel bases. I

The wheel support for the main frame is substantially alike for bothfront and rear ends except that inposition the steering mechanism isreversed; so that the detail description of the wheel support of one endof the excavator will also describe the other.

The wheels 9 are mounted in the telescoping axle 10, which latter issecured centrally in a spring supporting block 11. Between said block 11and a plate 12 there. are

mounted the springs 13; and a bolt14 which 1 passes through the'eyebolt8 and'block 11 and-which straddles the telescoping axle 10, has its endssecured to the plate 12 by which means the main frame is springsupported and suspended on said wheel base.

Pivoted on the eyebolt 8 is the segmental gear frame 15 which has itsforward part on the front end of the excavator connected thegearlt)inorder to hold it in any desired fixed position. z

Integral with the frame 15 and "on opposite sides thereof, and astrideof-the telescoping axle 10, are the upright arms 24 with their sidesnext to the axle lO andv bearingagainst the latter so" that when theframe 15 is turned-by the-steering mechanism' consisting of 'segment17,pinion 18,

gear 19, steering post 20 and handwhe el 21,

twoof the arms'24 will contact withthe axle 10,011 opposite sidesthereof and thereby turn the wheels 9 in one'directi'on; and

when the steering wheel-*is reversed, the

other two-arms 24 will turn the axle 10' and wheels 9 in the otherdirection.

From the foregoing it can readily be seen that the main frame issuspended from the 'front andrear axles and held bygravityin a balancedposition so that the axles "and wheels-associated therewith are free tohave a side rocking motion relative to said frame whereby the excavatorcan be moved over uneven "ground without the -frame *tilting from anupright vertical position;-in other words, the pivoted U bolt connectionbetween thetrucks and frame and the heavier weightedbottom of the-frameenables the I latter to maintain a balanced vertical position. P

irons5 of the main frame 'are' arranged in As seen in the drawings,thevertical angle frame; fand' positioned so that the inner angle of eachangle iron forms a cornerof a rectangular space into which the frames25, 111,112, 113, and 114 are 'slidably fitted. And these rectangularspaces are ofincreasing length from'the front to the rear of theexcavator, and consequently these frames are of relativelyincreasinglength. a

The frames25, 111, 112, 113 and 114 are formed with the bottom, top, andangle irons 26, 27 and 28 respectively; and'also the up,- rightangleirons 29 all of which have their ends riveted to cornerbrackets 30, 31and 32 respectively so as to-"form a substantially riged frame, as shownin Figs. '40 to 46 inclusive. v

As seen in 2, 10, Hand 15, the

frame nearestto the front trucks of the 'excavator, is provided with acombination of trench forming apparatus that are at.

justably mounted on said frame.

As shown in SMCl figures, but best in Flg.

.15Qthe're is'a pair of longitudinal plates 2 having their ends. securedby bolts 34 to the end plates 28 of the frame 25; and'by means of aplurality of holes 35 spaced apart in the end plates28, said plates 33.are adjustablr relatirc LC; the space between them; said adjustmenthaving for its object the forming of trenches of various widths.

Toward the forward end of the frame 25, and secured to the plates 33 bybolts 36 is a pair of spaced plates 37 having bolt holes 36corresponding to similar bolt holes 39 in the plates 33; the purpose ofsaid bolt holes being for the adjustment of parts as above stated v forforming trenches of various widths.

Secured to the plates 37 by the bolts 40, are the short cross plates 41by the crossing of which with the plates 37 a squared hearing surface isformed for the beams 42, on the bottom end of which are mounted thecoulters 43. The means stated for holding the coulter beams isrelatively the same both at top and bottom; except that at the latterplace there is a cross plate at that is adjustably secured to the beams42 by bolts 45; said plates a l resting on plates 41 and limiting thedownward movement of said coulter beams. All the plow, coulter andelevator beams have a similar adjustable mounting.

in the rear of the coulters and near the center of the frame 25 are twootherpairs of cross plates 46 having their ends secured with bolts t? tothe plates 26 of the frame 25; and by means of a plurality of spacedbolt holes &8 in the plates 26, said cross 'plates 46 are adjustablelongitudinally of the excavator.

Tn the slates 33 are also bolt holes 48 so spaced that when the plates16, which have intermediate bolt holes 48 therein, are shifted. certainbolt holes L8 in the plates are adapted to register with certain boltholes 48 in the plates 46, which thus may be secured in such registeringpositions by means of the bolts 47. The spacing between the holes 35 inthe angle irons 28 corresponds to the spacing between the holes 4.8 inthe plates t6, and the spacing between the holes lS in the angle irons26 corresponds to the spzuuing between the holes 48 in the plates 3?),so that the plates 4-6 may be adjusted to parallelism with the angleirons 26 and the plates 33 may be adjusted to parallelism with the angleirons 26 and to positions at right angles to the angle irons 28 and theplates 46.

There are also two pairs of cross plates 49 which are secured by thebolts 50 to the plates to; the crossing of said plates l6 and forming asquare bearing for the bottom end of the plow beams 51 to which end theplows 51 and 52 are attached respectively. These plow beams and plowsare limited in their downward movement by the cross plates l-i that aresecured to the beams 51 by the bolts 45.

As shown in Figs. 10 and 15, the plow 52 is a sufficient distance inadvance of the plow for the former to throw its furrowslice directly ontop of the furrow-sliceto cut and thrown by the latter so that the plow53 throws two furrow-slices out to one side of the trench, as indicatedby the arrows in Fig. 10.

Following the plow 53 and to one side of the same is the deflectingscraper 5% that engages the material excavated by the plows 52 and 53and removes it a considerable distance from the trench. This scraper ismounted on the lower end of the vertical beams 55, which latter areslidably mounted at top and bottom in the squared bearing formed by thecrossing of the plates 56 and 57 secured by bolts 58. The plates 57 aresecured by bolts 59 to the top and bottom plates 26 and 27 respectivelyof the frame 25. The plates 56 and 5'? and the frame plates 26 and 2?have a plurality of spaced bolt holes 60 and 60 respectively foradjustment of the parts for the purpose aforementioned.

Secured to the plates 57 by the bolts 61 are the cross plates 62, thecrossing of which forms a square hearing at both the top and bottom ofthe excavator for the vertical beams 63, to the bottom end of vhich aresecured the coultcrs 6a.

Secured to the ends of the plates 26 of the frames 25 are the brackets65 to which is preferably secured the turn buckles 66, one end of whichis attached to the cable 62'; and these brackets 65, turn buckles 66 andends of cable 67 are near to the lower corners of the frame 25.

Two of the cables 67 which are on one side of the frame 25 pass directlyupward and are attached to the drums 68 on the shaft 69 by the setscrews '70 as shown in Figs. 28 and The other two cables on the oppositeside of the frame pass upward and over the sleeve pulleys 71 which aresuitably mounted in the brackets 72 which latter are secured to thecross plates 6 of the main frame; and are thence extended across thevupper part of the frame 25 to the drums 68 and are secured to the.latter as are the other cable ends.

There are a plurality of the shafts 69 mounted end to end in the bearingblocks 73, as shown in Fig. 3a, which bearings are secured to the plates6 of the main frame, so that each shaft is free to rotate independentlyof the other; which independent movement enables any one of the frames25, 111, 112, 113 and lll to be raised or lowered separately orsimultaneously.

This independent action of the frames is one of great utility, and greatemphasis is placed on the importance of this feature of the invention;as it is often necessary to stop the excavator and to elevate theexcavating apparatus from the trench for the purpose of sharpening thedigging points or replacing bent or broken ones.

In trenchforming', it is quite often the case that obstructions areencountered requiring. manual means for their removal; such as rockstoolarge for the excavator to handle; in which case any one oftheaforeelevated frame may be returned to its former position and theexcavating operation resumed without having changed or altered theposition of the other frames.-

Thisfeature of the invention is especially advantageous when the trench,is beingconstructed to asurveyed line and cut to a predetermined grade.It is also of great utility in preparing the excavator fortransportation to other work when through at one place, as all theframes may be simultaneously elevated and. the excavator moved away.Integral with the drums GS-arethe pinions-74=, the latter having theirteeth-meshing with the teeth of the gears 7 5 which are loosely mountedon-the shaft 7-6-each havingi extending from the side thereof the sleeve77 mounted on the bearing 7 3 a-ndprovided with means for preventingmovement longitudinal ofthe shaft 7 6, asshown in Figs. 35 and 36; i On-the'other side of each gear and integrall therewith is one member 78 ofthe of the bearing '7 3. To one side of the lever" 81 and integraltherewith is the tooth 84'- which is adapted-to mesh with the'saw'toothdepressions 85 in the springclasp 86, saidclasp being secured to thebracket- 73 and adapted to hold said lever in position when theclutch*79 is either in or out of clutchingengagement, as shown in Figs;82, 35, 36;

As seen-in Figs- 1 and 2, the shaft-76 extends from I near the forwardend of the ex cavator: throughout the series of frames 25, 111, 112,11.3, and 114 to near the rear end;v

The forward en dof the shaft 76 is pro vided with the beveledgear- 87'that meshes with the beveled gear 88 on the jack shaft 89 whichshaft hasits endsmounted in-the bearings 90 and9 1 respectively 7 Secured to thejackshaft 89 is the-sprocket wheel- 92 which is connected by the chain.93 to asprocket-94e. Themountingofthe sprockehwheel 94? is similar tothe gear" and clutch mounting as shown in Fig. 36; the sprocket wheel'94being loose on the engine shaft 95 and operated bythelever'and clutchmechanism 96;

The engine 97 may be of any standarc type'and' mounted on the frame ofthe eX- cavator in any desired manner.

Through the connection of the drums 68to" the engine 97, and theintervening clutch means, any one or all of the frames 25, 111, 11 2,:118' and 114: and their attached excavating. apparatu'smay be raised orlowered separately or simultaneously, the mechanism connecting eachframe to the engine being substantially the same,

As;seen in Figs; 28'and 88, means is provlded for holdmgeach'fra-me inan elevated position, consisting of a dog .98 which has one end pivotedon the pin" 99 which is secured to the side of the bearing 78; The otherend of thedog 98 has a tooth 100 which meshesw-ith the teeth of thepinion 7:4 and thereby preventing the rotatioriof th'edrum 68 in thedirection that would enable the' frames to" descend;

As the'drum is revolved-in the direction to elevatethe frames,- theteeth of'the pinion-74 push thetooth out ofengagement;

The dog. 98 is-heldin-engagement with hand-rod 102 which is pivotallyconnected to the toothed end of the dog: 98 by the pin;

103. To one side of the rod l0-2 and integral therewith is thelatch 104which,-when-the rod 102 is drawn downward :to' disengage the dog 98, ismanually moved tothe underside ofthe pin 105which issecured inthe plate6.

As previously stated, anyone or all o'fthe frame's may be raised orlowere'd'separatdy or simultaneously and so mamtained in any desiredposition,- the reason for which has Attention is called,-

been fully explained. however, to the special construction-of the paralle-l' shafts 69 and 1 7 6 and their associatedparts 'by means ofwhich-the raising On the gears 7 5 of the 'shaft '76 aresleeveextensions which havesimilar notched endssecured in the bearings73, which mechanism" and not be deflected upward consist inlapair ofguides 106 atthe top ofthe frame 25 and secured tothe longitudinal-1 topplates 33,

between which guides and the plates 33 there are slidably mounted thebearing plates 107 through which the upper ends of the plow beams 51extend.

Pivotally connected to one end of each of the plates 10? are the rods108 the other end of the rods being connected pivotally to the arm 108,as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, and controlled by the hand lever 109, whichlever is provided with a sector 109 and latch 109 for holding the plates10? in any desired position and consequently tilting the plow points toout either deeper or shallower.

By moving the lever 109 either toward the front or rear of the excavatorthe upper ends of the plow beams51 will also be moved and cause the plowpoints to be raised or lowered and thereby alter their cutting effect inthe ground.

To the lower part of the plow beams 51 there may be secured one end ofthe chain 110 the other end of which may be secured to the longitudinalplates 33 to help resist the backward thrust of the soil against theplows.

In the rear of the frame 25 and its associated parts are the frames 111,112, 113, and 11% which are substantially like the frame 25 except inlength; and each of these frames are relatively longer from the front tothe rear of the excavator; and the excavating mechanism in said framesis practically the same except that the elevator in each frame 15relatively of greater length. So a detailed description of one of theseframes and its associated parts describes all the others; and the frame111 and the mechanism with it will be described.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 19 to 36 inclusive, the frame 111 isprovided with longitudinal plates 115 at top and bottom which areadjustable sidewise of the excavator by bolts and a plurality ofregistering bolt holes as in frame 25. The cross plates 116 have thesame means for adjustment. Within the squares formed by the crossing ofthe plates 115, 116 and the plates 117 are the vertical beams 118towhich beams and the frame plates the excavating apparatus is secured.

Near the front of the frame 1.11 is the beam HR to the lower end ofwhich is secured the routers 119 immediately in the rear of which is theplow 120 which, as shown in Figs. 19 to 23 inclusive throws itsfurrow-slice dirertly on top of the furrow-slice of plow 121. This plow121 throws the double furrowslicethus formed back into the rear of plow120 directly into the rimless sprocket wheel. 122. as shown by thearrows in Figs. 10, 20 and 23.

The sprocket wheel 122 is mounted in the lower end of the conveyortrough 123, which extends upwardly and has its upper end slotted andslidably mounted on the pins 123 which are secured to the supports ofthe sprocket wheel 124. As shown in Fig. 2 1, the under portion of thetrough 123 is cut away at the upper end to make a discharge port for thedirt.

Gn the rimless sprocket wheel 122 as well as on the rimless sprocketwheel 1241. is mounted an endless conveyor 125 consisting of the chains126 to which are secured the dirt removing disks 127, as shown in Figs.21 to 27 inclusive.

The conveyor is driven by means of the shaft 128 one end of which isconnerted by the universal joint 129 to the shaft of the sprocket wheel124, the other end having the bevel pinion 130 which meshes with thegear 131 on the shaft 132. On said shaft 132 is mounted the clutch 133and the sprocket wheel 13% which is connected with a sprocket wheel 135on the shaft 76 by the sprocket chain 136 to which is suitable connecteda chain tightener 137 to hold it in the right working tension when theframe 111 is either raised or lowered.

By the'means above mentioned the conveyor 125 is moved to elevate thematerial thrown up by the plows 120 and 121 and thrown into the rimlesssprocket wheel'122 and onto the chains 126 and between thedisks 127.

As the conveyor 125 travels in the direction of the arrows, as shown inFig. 2 t, the dirt or material from the double furrow is forced up theinclined trough 123 and discharged at the upper end of said trough andto one side of the trench.

From the foregoing description of the construction and operation of theframe 111 and the fact that the excavating mechanism of the frames 112,113 and 114 is substantially like that of frame 111, it will be seenthat. the excavating apparatus of each of these frames will cut a trenchtwo furrows wide and one furrow deep and discharge the excavatedmaterial to the side of the trench as the excavator advances.

By the adjusting means of the frame plates heretofore described theexcavators ofcach frame may be set so that the walls of each cut will bein the same vertical plane, or that the furrows will be of decreasingwidth and thereby form a trench similar to that shown in cross sectionin Fig. l, in which are shown five different cuts. a, b, c, d and e.

As shown in Figs. 11- 29. and 33, the drums 64 are in pairs, and ofincreased diameter from the front to the rear of the excavator in orderto lift the excavating apparatus practically to the same level when theexcavator is to travel idle from place to place.

The drums 68 in the frame being of less diameter than the drums 63 inthe frame 111; and the drums 68 in the frame, 111 Le ing smaller thanthose in the frame 112; and the other drums being of relatively in.-

creasing size, the same rotation of the shaft- 69 will lift theseframesto relatively higher levels and thereby bring the excavatingapparatus attached to each frame up to substantially the same level.

The excavating apparatus of 'each frame being relatively deeper-in'thetrench from;

the front to the rear ofthe machine, in operation, in order to liftthese-excavatorsclear of the trench and ground andbring them intoalinement for travel from placetoplace,

each pair of drums fromthe front tothe rear of the-excavator must be ofgreater diameter.-

the gear 138 which meshes withapinion 139 on the jack shaft 1&0 which issecured to the cross plate 6 at the rear of the excavator. This shaft140 has near each end thereof the sprocket wheels 1411 which areconnected to the sprocket; wheels 142 which are secured to the rearaxles 10,,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

By the above described means, the excavator. may not only be propelledfrom place to place under its own power,but also for the formation ofordinary-irrigation trenches. In the event, however, of unusuallyrefractory material being encountered and consequently'additional poweris required to propel the excavator, a coupling ring 1% is provided atthe forward end thereof to which a tractor may be attached, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2.; Or; a tongue 16 may be secured to the forward'trucks towhich horses or mules maybe hitched, as shown in Figs. 6 to 9inclusive.= Where suchadditional power is not available, another meansmay be employed which is diagrammaticaly shown in Fig. 3: Thedruin lt6issecured to the platform-of the forwardend of the excavator, and to theshaft of the drum 11-6 is securedthe sprocket wheel let-7 whichisconnected by a chain 148 to the sprocket wheel 149 on the engineshaft, said shaft beingprOvided with the clutch 150, as shown in Figs.1, 2, 3, 6,-and 7.

A cable 151 secured at one end to another 152 passes thence totheforward endof the excavator: through the pulley 153 and is coiled onthe drum 146 from whichthe (cable passes through the pulley-154 and-backto the rear anchor 155.

By use of'the above; described means. a great amount of power is;applied to: the cable and the excavatormoved forwardor rearward.Theability: of the excavator to be propelled rear'wardly is of reatutility in thatit-may be moved out of t -he way of obstructions to beremoved by blasting or other follower 156 is a trough with open endspref? erably made of sheet iron and substantially the width; of; thebottom cutin. the, trench-.'. It; is of, considerablelength and isprovidedwith the discharge ports 158 in; its bottom. Being open at bothends, any ,high points ofdirtin the trenchwill be out off by. the frontendof the follower .and'pass into thefollower; and should there be anylow spots in the trench-the dirt in the followerwill drop throughthedischargeports 158, which, for the purpose of. guiding the loosenedmaterial,

downwardly, are provided;;with downward.- lyconvergi-ng edges, as.shown'inFig. 5, and fill the depressions. Y v

In operation, the excavator. ispropelled under; its ownpower tothe placewhere thetrench or trenchesare to be formed; in the meantime of course:the frames carryingthe excavating apparatus are elevated and 5 held.

clear of the groundby means of the dogs 98- engaging. the pinion, wheels7% to. keep the drums68- from rotation.

lVhenthe excavator isinposition to begin the operation of trenchdigging, the clutches. 79 [are thrown .into engagement ands'the dogs9.8- released and the: frames lowered. to theground under, theretarcl-ingmower of'the' en gi-ne.- Theiclutches -79 -are-thendisengaged so that the shaft 76 is free to rotate withoutdrivingthe-drums -68; to thereby operate the conveyors 125 and-to alsopropel the Lexcavator-forward. v 7 Then the depth and widthadjustmentof; each of the central excavating; apparatus is accomplished by thecross plate and bolt adjustm'ents heretofore described; the engine isput into operation-and theexcavatorpropelledforward to form the trench.

The construction illustrated and described may admitof changes andmodifications,and

Imayma-ke suchchanges without departing from the spirit of: myinvention.

I claim: 7

, 1. In air-excavator,aframegpairsofbeams spaced apart andfmounted. in.said. frame saiddieams adapted i to .move, verticallyindependent.ofsaidtframe; pairs ofplow-s, on.the lower. ends of said beams,.said,,plows ar rangedso that one plow: of eachpair is in ad- Vance ofthe-othen; plates for limiting the movement of said beams; anda/flexible connection between said plows and saidframe;

' 2. In. anexcavator, a frame; pairs of beams spaced; apart.- andperpendicular in saideframe said. beams adapted. to move} verticalindependently of, said, frame; ,pai'rs ofsplowson the lowerends ofsaid-beams. said plows arranged with one plow of each pair in advance ofthe other so that the advanced plow of each pair of plows throws itsfurr w-slice on lip of the furrowslice of the rear plow of such pair;and means for mov ing the upper ends of said beams to tilt the plows.

3. In an excavator, a main frame; other frames 'slidably mounted withinsaid'main frame; beams slidably mounted within said other frames;excavating apparatus secured to one end of said beams and adapted to aforward and a tilting movement; a shaft mounted in said main frame; acountershaft in said main frame for each of said other frames, saidcountershafts abutting end to end; a driving connection between saidshaft and said countershafts; and a connection between saidcountershafts and said other frames whereby the latter may be raised orlowered.

4C. In an excavator, a main frame; other frames slidably mounted in saidmain frame and movabl independent of one another; beams slidably mountedin said other frames; excavating apparatus comprising plows, coultersandelevators secured to lower ends of said beams and adapted to a forwardand a tilting movement; a shaft; a countershaft for each of said otherframes; drums on said countershaft; cables connecting said drums withsaid other frames; and a driving connection between said shaft and saidcountershafts for the purpose specified.

5. In an excavator, a main frame; other frames movably mounted in saidmain frame and movable independent of one another; beams mounted in saidother frame; excavating apparatus comprising plows and cutters arrangedin pairs and elevators for removing dirt displaced by the plows andcoulters that are mounted on lower ends of said beams and adapted to aforward and a tilting movement; a shaft; a plurality of countershafts; adrum and cable connection between each of said other frames and saidcountershafts; gear connection between said shaft and saidcountershafts; and clutches for controlling said gear connection.

6. An excavator comprising a plurality of plows arranged in pairs and inspaced relation to one another; and rigidly secured upon beams mountedso as to be vertically adjustable in the excavator, the arrangement ofthe plows being such "that each pair of plows forms a two furrow trenchone furrow deep and with the center of each trench of each pair of plowsin vertical and longitudinal alinement.

7. An excavator comprising a plurality of plows arranged in pairs and inspaced relation to one another; and rigidly secured upon beams mountedso as to be vertically adjustable in the excavator, the arrangement ofthe plows being such that each pair of plows forms a two furrow trenchone furrow deep and with the center of each trench of each pair of plowsin vertical and longitudinal alinement; and means for adjusting saidpairs of plows to form a trench of greater or less width and depth.

8. An excavator comprising pairs of plows arranged with a forward andrear plow in each pair; and also arranged so that the forward plow ofthe pair at the front end of the excavator throws its furrow-slice ontop of the furrow-slice of the rear plow so that the rear plow of saidpair throws a double furrow-slice out to the side of the excavator; andwith the other pairs of plows arranged so that the forward plow of eachpair thereof throws its furrow-slice on top of the furrow-slice of therear plows of said other pairs so that the rear plows throw a doublefurrow-slice toward the furrows of the forward plows of said other pairsand into conveyors arranged behind each of said other pairs of plows.

9. In an excavator, the combination of traction wheels; axles mounted insaid wheels; spring mounted bearings connected to said axles; a framehaving longitudinal base plates positioned below said axles; anexcavating apparatus mounted in said frame, said excavating apparatushaving its heaviest portion positioned near said base plates; andpivoted connection between said frame and said axles whereby theequilibrium of said frame will be maintained.

10. In an excavator, the combination of traction wheels; axles mountedin said wheels; spring mounted bearings connected to said axles; a framehaving longitudinal base plates positioned below said axles; steeringapparatus on said frame for guiding said axles; excavating apparatusmounted in said frame and having its heaviest portion positioned near toa center between said base plates; a pivoted connection between saidframe and said axles whereby the equilibrium of said. frame will bemaintained; and means for moving the excavator, for the purposespecified.

11. In an excavator the combination of a frame having excavatingapparatus mounted therein; axles; traction wheels on the axles; sleeveson the axles, in which sleeves ,1 'd axles are adjustably mounted. sothat said axles may be lengthened or shortened relative to the width ofsaid excavator; a pivoted connection between. the frame and said sleeveswhereby the axles may be swungto different positions; a steeringapparatus for swinging the axles to the different positions; and meansfor moving said excavator, for the purpose specified.

12. In an excavator, the combination with a main frame, of tractionwheels; axles in the wheels; spring supported bearings pivotallyconnecting said main frame and said axles; other frames mounted so astobe vertically ,movable withln said mam frame;

trench forming plows and conveyors rigidly and operably mounted in saidother frames;

and means for moving said excavator to I form a trench. o

13. In an excavator, the combinatlon with a mainframe, of tractionwheels; axles in saidwheeis; spring supported bearings pivotallyconnecting sa d mam frame and said axles; steering apparatus adapted toswing said axles; other frames mounted so. as tobe vertically-movablewithin said main frame; trench forming plows and conveyors rigidlymounted in said other frames; a shaft mounted on the main frame; aconnection between the conveyors of said other frames shaft and thecountershaft; a connection be and said shaft; and means for driving saidshaft.

let. Inan excavator, thev combination of a main frame; other framesmovably mounted within said main frame; excavating apparatus mounted insaid other frames; a shaft mounted in the main frame; a countershaft insaid main frame; means for driving said shaft; a rotating connectionbetween the tween said countershaft and said other frames whereby thesaid countershaft may be moved; and means for moving said excavator, forthe purpose specified, I

15. In an excavator, the combination with a main frame of other .framesmovabl mounted within said main frame; excavatin giapparatus mounted insaid other frames a shaft mounted in the main frame; a countershaftinsaid main frame; means for drivmg said shaft; a rotating connectingbetween said shaft and said countershaft; .a cable and drum connectionbetween the countershaft and said other frames whereby the latter may beraised and lowered; means for; stabilizing the excavating apparatus;

and means for moving said excavator, for the purpose specified. e

16. In an excavator, the combination with a main frame, of other frames.mounted within said main frame; excavating apparatus mounted in saidother frames; a shaft cmounted in said main frame; a countershaft insaid main frame; means for driving said shaft; a gear and pinionconnection between said shaft and said countershaft; a cable' and drumconnection between said countershaft and saidother frames whereby theother frames may be raised or lowered;

apparatus and means mounted in said main frame; countershafts in saidmain frame 'means for driving said shaft;= a gear and,pinionjjconnection between said shaft and said countershafts; a; cableand drum connection between said countershafts and said other frameswhereby theother frames may be raised orlowered;

means for stabilizingthe excavating apparatus, means for raisingand'lowering each of said other frames separately or simultaneously;means for holding one or all of the a said other frames in an elevatedposition; and means for moving said excavator, for

the purpose specified; a V 18. In an, excavator, the combination 'witha'maln frame, of other frames mountedw1thin said main frame; excavatingapparatus mounted v in said other frames; a; shaft mounted 1n sald mainframe; countershafts in said main frame; meansfordr vmg said shaft; gearandpinion connections between said shaft and said countershafts;clutches onsaid shaft controlling said connections wherebysaid shaftmaybe driven independently ofsaid countershafts;-drums on saidcountershafts; cables connecting said drums with said other frameswhereby-said frames may be raised and lowered; meansfor stabilizing theexcavating apparatus and means for moving said excavator, for thepurpose specified. i

19. In an excavator, the combination with a main frame, of other framesmo'unted within said-main frame; excavating apparatusmounted insaidother frames a shaft mountedin said main frame; countershafts insaidmain frame; means for driving said shaft; a gear andpinion' connectionbetween the shaft and the countershafts; drums on said countershafts,saiddrums being'in pairs and: each pair increasing indiametrical-size,-'

from the forward to the rearward ends of the excavator; andcablesconnecting each pair of saiddrums with one of said other frameswhereby the increasing diameter of each pair of'drums will be the meansof raisingzsaid other frames to relatively increasing higher planesthereby bringing the bottomi partof said excavating apparatus into edgealignment when said other frames are elevated; means for stabilizing theexcavating J cavator. 1

20. An excavator comprising a main frame, other frames slidably mountedin said main frame,pairs of plows in each of said other frames, coultersin each of said other frames for operating said exfor cutting straightedges in advance of said pairs of plows, conveyors for removing dirt"displaced by pairs of plows 'rearw'ard of the v first pair of plows,said conveyors inclined outward from the longitudinal axis toward theside ofsaid main frame, vani engine in; said main frame, a shaft in saidmain frame,

a driving connection between said engine and

